MANILA – Other schools and universities could try their best and lure him but Negrense Mark Nonoy already made up his mind – he is staying put with University of Santo Tomas until college.
Nonoy, a native of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, said he was in fact looking forward to playing for Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo next year after his one-and-done deal with UST’s high school squad.
“I am staying put in UST for college. There is no reason for me to move elsewhere,” Nonoy told Panay News after tallying triple-double 17 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists in UST Tiger Cubs’ 75-63 win over University of the Philippines Junior Maroons.
Vincent Conlu, who handled Nonoy when he was still with Hua Siong College of Iloilo, said the 5-foot-8 guard was already in the right place in UST and will be fit to Ayo’s system.
“I really did not think twice in bringing Mark (Nonoy) to UST after he exhausted his eligibility in Iloilo,” Conlu said in a separate interview. “His style of play fits with the system of Aldin Ayo.”
“I expect Mark to improve his game further under the guidance of Ayo and his coaching staff, so I told Mark that he should stay with UST until college,” added Conlu, whose two other former Hua Siong players – Jean Beliran and Vince Dolendo – were also in UST.
Nonoy, who posted 31 points in UST’s loss to defending UAAP juniors basketball champions Ateneo Blue Eaglets a week ago, said he was slowly studying Ayo’s system now so he won’t have a hard time if he gets in the collegiate team.
“I’m trying to improve my game further, adding more innovations and observing coach Aldin’s system,” Nonoy said. “I will just do my best and hope I will be lined up next year.”
“I know I still need to work my way to land a spot in UST Tigers’ Team A so that’s what I’m willing to do when I finish my one year with UST’s high school team,” he added./PN
